Car Talk: Call a pro to start an engine that's been sitting unused for months

Q: My 1984 Toyota pickup truck has been sitting for a year and a half. What should I do in preparation before starting it?

If it influences your answer, here's the story of how I got here: The battery was running down overnight. My auto parts store said it was probably the alternator. I didn't have enough money to take it to a garage, so a neighbor replaced the alternator and voltage regulator, but that didn't fix it, and he did some damage in the process.

During all of this, the license plates expired, and I canceled the insurance. Then someone stole the catalytic converter and muffler. I realize that it can't sit forever. It has a good engine and transmission, so I'm thinking I'll try to start it. Does that make sense?

A: It depends on why you want to start it. Do you want to get it started so you can fix it? Or do you want to start it so you can sell it?

If you just want to get rid of it, I wouldn't try to start it. I'd advertise it "as is." Be completely honest. Say, "Good engine and transmission. No converter or muffler. Not currently running due to charging system problem. Excellent truck for a mechanic who wants to fix it, or for parts. Best offer and must tow it away."

There's a cult around these old Toyota trucks, and my guess is someone will want it.

On the other hand, if you want to drive it again, keep in mind that you'll need whatever parts caused the battery to run down, whatever parts the neighbor damaged, plus a catalytic converter and muffler. So you're probably looking at over $1,000 in repair costs. At minimum.

For instance, he can squirt oil into the cylinders so the pistons aren't rubbing against dry cylinder walls. Then he can turn the crankshaft by hand to get the pistons moving slowly, and make sure the rings aren't stuck. If all that works, he can crank the engine with the coil wire detached to allow the oil pump to start lubricating all the parts of the engine that haven't seen oil for months.

And then, once he gets it started, he can begin to figure out what it'll need to get on the road again. At that point, you can always go back and reconsider Plan A: Selling it "as is."

A slick problem

Q: I have a 2013 Subaru Outback 2.5i with 171,000 miles. It's been burning a quart of oil every 1,500 to 2,500 miles. What can I do to fix or improve this?

A: For a car with 171,000 miles on it, this is not much at all. If you were burning a quart every 500 miles or less, I'd be concerned, but this is hardly unusual.

Then again, some leaks aren't worth fixing. I'd suggest just buying a case of oil the next time it's on sale and keeping your eye on the dipstick. At your current rate of oil loss, a case of oil ought to get you to about 200,000 miles. That's pretty much how long Subaru engines, on average, last.